I’ve gone on the record saying that Rayman: Legends is likely my favourite 2D platformer of all time. That’s saying something considering my favourite game of all time falls into that same genre. I think it reigns supreme because of the tight, hilarious gameplay; the creativity on display from all sides; the number of levels and unlockables available to the player; and the fantastic presentation.
So, when Ubisoft revealed that they were about to hit us with a remake of sorts, I was a little skeptical. Rayman Legends Retold isn’t just a remake, but isn’t quite a remaster either. The Ubisoft teams in Montpellier and Milan have worked together to give us a game that, so far in the three hours I’ve played, really feels like a retelling of the original’s slew of creative ideas.
Hands On With Rayman Legends Retold
I attended a three-hour preview event for the game. I couldn’t play the final build, as that is still being worked on, but I got to experience quite a bit of what the game has to offer and how it differs from the original release 13 years ago.
When I first watched the trailer earlier this year, I was likely one of many who thought: “Is this even needed?” I think that still remains to be seen when the game releases in December, but I also believe there is more new at play here than I originally expected.
The visuals are the first thing you’ll notice, as they’ve moved away from the pure 2D cartoon art style to a more 2.5D, CGI-esque look. Personally, I think it looks nice, but I still really love the way the original pops on screen. That said, the new design and aesthetic bring more dynamic camera angles, gorgeous lighting effects, and extra detail in every platforming screen you tackle.
Additionally, Rayman Legends Retold is going all in on its story and characters. The preview event really honed in on and emphasized the “Retold” part of the game. As much as I love the 2013 release, the story was never the reason. Ubisoft has recreated and expanded upon what was laid out all those years ago. Numerous new cutscenes are voice-acted and delivered with classic Rayman hilarity.
It’s actually something I didn’t know I wanted or needed. Like what Star Fox did with its Switch 2 release, it added a lot more context for what’s really going on with Rayman and his friends. Each character is given their own moments of quips and reactions to the wild scenario they’ve been thrust into, and it all works really well so far.
Gameplay is where the original always shone for me. As far as I can tell, Rayman Legends Retold may look and present as new, but it still feels classically challenging and engaging across the board. All the levels are the same as in the 2013 game but with a big fresh coat of paint. The developers didn’t stop there because there is a whole new realm to tackle, more musical stages to master, and a new ability to use.
The new region is a great way to experience something fresh and just another example of how the teams did more than just update the game’s graphics. I played a couple of levels in the dark, moody setting with a new ability that lights up the screen and enemies. Shooting out an orb of light to freeze enemies and move platforms to reach your goal is a great way to change things up while also feeling familiar. It added some challenge, but in my time with it, things never felt out of place. Plus, these new levels look fantastic with the updated lighting effects.
I also got hands-on with one of several new levels that have been added to the original lineup. Now you have a handful of opportunities to jump on the back of a dragon and fly through various areas. I played one that whipped me through the Mexican/day of the Dead-inspired world as I did all I could to survive and collect. This felt like an extension of my favourite part of Rayman Legends: the musical levels. I’m looking forward to playing through more of them as it was nice to see these new ideas being tossed into areas you may have previously completed.
I played through the entirety of Legends on both PS4 and Vita at least two or three times, but it’s been a while. Thankfully, the controls, level design, physics, and just how wonderfully the musical levels are orchestrated (literally) made it feel like I was riding a bike in Retold. The game also supports four-player couch co-op, though I only had the chance to play solo.
If you’re already a fan of Legends like me, I can see you getting a lot out of this new version. If you haven’t played it before, it’s also a great chance to play an already amazing game. I’ve thought about my time with it over the last week or so and wondered if it falls into the same category as Halo: Campaign Evolved: a solid remake that is only as fun as its original iteration. I haven’t spent enough time or played the final build of Rayman Legends Retold, but it may be leaning that way. Sure, there’s loads of new content, but the core of what was there before is, in my opinion, why the game succeeds. If the incredibly fun gameplay remains, you’ll have a great time.
In all honesty, I was surprised by just how much Ubisoft added to this game. You can even play through all of Rayman Origins and unlock some never-before-seen concept art.
Yes, Rayman Legends Retold is still rooted in a game from 2013, but there’s much more new content to take in and a whole new set of stages to conquer. That alone is worth it, in my opinion, but the bonus of a pretty good-looking art style and the addition of fun cutscenes and character voice acting make this a title I now need to keep a close eye on.
